Restricts non-essential foreign visits, rationalise official convoys
Dimapur, July 14 (MExN): The Nagaland government has issued an austerity advisory directing all departments, boards, corporations, government institutions, state public sector undertakings to rationalise expenditure and conserve resources.
The measures, notified by the Finance Department’s Budget and Monitoring Cell dated July 13 will remain in force till March 2027 and can be extended further as per directive.
Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen, IAS, in the advisory, said the steps have been taken “in view of the need for efficient utilisation of public resources and responsible governance” and are applicable with immediate effect across all government institutions in the state.
As per the new guidelines, all non-essential official travel outside the state will be restricted, with video conferencing and virtual reviews being adopted as the default mode for meetings. The government has directed that multiple official engagements be consolidated into single tours to minimise expenditure.
In a move to curb foreign exposure visits, all non-essential foreign visits, study tours and delegations have been deferred during the austerity period. Exceptions will be considered only for medical emergencies, statutory or treaty obligations, or fully externally sponsored programmes, with prior approval of the Chief Secretary.
According to the directive, official convoys attached to Ministers, Advisors and senior government officials shall be reduced to the “minimum essential level.” Escort and protocol vehicles are to be pooled wherever feasible, while the use of multiple support vehicles for routine engagements has been explicitly discouraged.
To streamline transport resources, public authorities and officials have been advised to consciously minimise the use of official vehicles. Departments have been directed to maximise utilisation of existing vehicle pools and to encourage the adoption of public transport, shared transport and carpooling systems among staff.
On the energy front, the government has ordered mandatory switching off of lights, air-conditioners, and equipment after office hours, while decorative lighting in government buildings has been restricted. Departments have been asked to promote energy-efficient appliances, minimise diesel generator use except during emergencies, and undertake periodic energy audits. “Corrective measures arising out of such audits shall be implemented in a time-bound manner,” it stated while encouraging to observe periodic “Lights Off’ campaigns for non-essential lighting as a public awareness and behavioural initiative.
The directive also seeks to rationalise expenditure on ceremonial functions, entertainment and non-essential events, asking departments to adopt simple and modest formats for government programmes. Avoidable hospitality expenditure has been discouraged, while non-essential advertisements and publicity campaigns will be restricted in favour of digital communication platforms.
The government has deferred avoidable furnishing, renovation and aesthetic expenditures in government offices. Public expenditure on residential renovations will not ordinarily be permitted during the austerity period. Departments have been asked to avoid outsourcing consultancy services that can be handled internally.
Additionally, all departments have been directed to promote paperless transactions and digital payments to reduce expenditure on paper and printing.
The advisory introduces a ‘Local First’ government protocol, asking officials to prioritise local food products, local tea and coffee, fruits, and indigenous handloom and handicraft decor for government meetings and official events.
Concerned departments have been tasked with undertaking awareness initiatives encouraging citizens to conserve fuel, reduce electricity consumption, minimise waste, support sustainable practices, and encourage local products and production.
